Are Cheap Lav Mics Any Good?

Pretty much any external mic is going to help make your audio sound better, but what’s the difference between cheap ones and expensive ones, and which might be the best choice for you?

•Sennheiser MKE Essential: https://geni.us/5yZRf3 (Amazon)
•Cheap Mic: https://geni.us/EiWyxC (Amazon)
•DJI Lavalier: https://geni.us/Gn0NiA7 (Amazon)
•Rode Lavalier II: https://geni.us/AEfIND (Amazon)
•Zoom Recorder: https://geni.us/AXBsGL (Amazon)
•Headphones: https://bhpho.to/3JNacqg (B&H)

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⏱️Chapter Markers:
0:00 - Small Mics, Big Sound!
3:02 - The $6 Microphone
4:07 - Lav Mic Positioning
5:27 - Cheap Mic First Sound Test
7:33 - Why Are Some Mics So Expensive?
8:29 - Rode Lavalier II Sound Test
9:37 - DJI Lavalier Sound Test
11:53 - Noise Rejection Tests
14:16 - Do You NEED An Expensive Mic?
15:58 - What Makes A “Professional” Mic?
17:31 - What About Mid-Range Options? (Rode & DJI)
19:57 - Cheap Mic Build Quality
23:17 - How To Choose Your Mic

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——————————— VIDEO GEAR ———————————
•Ecamm Live Streaming Software: https://geni.us/ecammtom
•Sony FX3 (Main Camera): https://bhpho.to/3EJuBde (B&H)
•Sony a7SIII: https://bhpho.to/3f8mMlS (B&H)
•Sony a7IV: https://bhpho.to/33mOGZo (B&H)
•Sony 24 1.4 (Main Lens): https://geni.us/sony24 (Amazon)
•Tamron 20-40 2.8: https://geni.us/Rp3NeMc
•Zeiss 85 1.8: https://geni.us/zeissbatis (Amazon)
•Sony 70-200: https://bhpho.to/3B4tCr2 (B&H)
•Elgato Prompter: https://geni.us/elgatoprompter (Amazon)
•Anamorphic Lens: https://bhpho.to/309H0rV (B&H)
•GoPro Hero 13: https://geni.us/gopro13
•Rodecaster Video: https://bhpho.to/3Ub88j2 (B&H)
•DJI Mini 3 Pro Drone : https://geni.us/I2e0AB (Amazon)
•Tri-Charge: https://geni.us/ZYdV3dh
•YoloBox for Mobile Streams: https://bhpho.to/3pc8qHU (B&H)
•Colorful HDMI Cables: https://geni.us/NeOn (Amazon)

——————————— AUDIO GEAR ———————————
•Rodecaster Pro II: https://bhpho.to/3wCwaqI (B&H)
•Sennheiser MKH 50: https://geni.us/mkh50 (Amazon)
•Shure SM7B: https://geni.us/tepsm7b (Amazon)
•Earthworks Ethos: https://bhpho.to/3CthFs4 (B&H)
•Lewitt LCT 240 Pro: https://geni.us/4fww (Amazon)
•Sony Video Mic: https://bhpho.to/3ztb6Vb (B&H)
•Tall Mic Arm: https://geni.us/A39EvH (Amazon)
•Short Mic Arm: https://geni.us/zc7hAbW (Amazon)
•Sennheiser Wireless System: https://bhpho.to/43JgqkL (B&H)
•Rode Headphones: https://bhpho.to/3JNacqg (B&H)
•Blue XLR Cable: https://geni.us/bluexlr (Amazon)

—————————— LIGHTS & SUPPORTS ——————————
•Nanlite Forza 200 (Key Light): https://geni.us/9Ofr (Amazon)
•Aputure Light Dome Mini: https://bhpho.to/4eMAiJs (B&H)
•Small Nanlite RGB Tube Lights: https://geni.us/nanlite (Amazon)
•Big Nanlite RGB Tube Lights: https://geni.us/pavotubes (Amazon)
•Aputure MC RGB Light: https://geni.us/IuE4 (Amazon)
•Rolling Camera Stand: https://bhpho.to/3PbJGg3 (B&H)
•Big Tripod: https://bhpho.to/3lRoTyz (B&H)
•Small Tripod: https://geni.us/oQOh3Az (Amazon)
•Travel Tripod: https://geni.us/nlUBm (Amazon)
•Overhead Camera Mount: https://geni.us/ISBKAIv (Amazon)
•Motorized Slider: https://bhpho.to/3ztKMJA (B&H)
•Camera Backpack: https://geni.us/aEH2 (Amazon)

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🎥 Check out my full gear list here:https://himynameistom.com/gear
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– Who Am I? –

Hi! My name is Tom Buck, a lifelong A/V nerd and former high school Digital Media teacher. I started this channel in 2017 as a project to share my enthusiasm for everything related to audio and video production.

It's my goal for each video to be interesting/helpful/atleastmildlyentertaining, from a helpful enthusiast’s point of view. You can take a look at my bio to learn more about my background, both personally and professionally: https://himynameistom.com/about

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Episode 451: Cheap vs. Expensive Lav Mics: Can You Hear A Difference?